WASHINGTON (AP) — John Bolton is expected to surrender to authorities Friday and make his first court appearance on charges accusing the former Trump administration national security adviser of storing top secret records at home and sharing with relatives diary-like notes that contained classified information.
The 18-count federal indictment filed on Thursday also suggests classified information was exposed when operatives believed to be linked to the Iranian government hacked Bolton’s email account and gained access to sensitive material he had shared. A Bolton representative told the FBI in 2021 that his emails had been hacked, prosecutors say, but did not reveal that Bolton had shared classified information through the account.
The closely watched case involves a prominent figure known for his hawkish views on American foreign policy, who served for over a year in Trump’s administration before being fired in 2019. Bolton later published a book critical of Trump.
The indictment alleges that between 2018 and August, Bolton shared more than 1,000 pages of information marked as classified with two family members. This material, described as diary-like entries, included sensitive details learned from meetings, intelligence briefings, and conversations with foreign leaders.
Bolton has described the case against him as a political ploy by the Justice Department, asserting that he is being targeted for his past criticisms of Trump. His attorney contends that the charges stem from his personal diaries and that he did not share or store classified information unlawfully.
The indictment highlights Bolton's understanding of the significance of maintaining the confidentiality of sensitive information, citing an earlier interview where he criticized the improper communication practices of other Trump administration officials.
As tensions rise over the implications of this case, observers await Bolton's court appearance and the unfolding of what may become a contentious legal battle.
